Department of Public Safety
Division of the Animal Shelter

The Division of the Animal Shelter is responsible for administering and maintaining the Town's dog shelter, enforcing Local and State animal protection, control and licensing laws, and administering Town dog control services. This Division makes dogs available for adoption and operates from the Town's Animal Shelter.

LOCATION, PHONE NUMBER, AND HOURS OF OPERATION OF THE TOWN'S ANIMAL SHELTER

Phone Number: 311 Call Center number ( 311 within the Town or (516) 869-6311 outside of Town)

Days and Hours Of Operation:
Monday through Friday (except holidays) from 9:00 a.m. through 4:00p.m.
Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

LICENSING YOUR DOG

New York State requires all dogs over (4) four months of age to be licensed for a fee of $15. The fee is reduced to $7 if your dog is spayed or neutered. Failure to license your dog could result in a summons or fine .

Dog license application forms are available at the Animal Shelter or the Office of the Town Clerk , located at 200 Plandome Road, Manhasset, New York 11030. To request an application, call (516) 869-7655. You may also download a copy of the form by double-clicking on the words dog license application.

Renewal forms are sent automatically.

VACCINATING YOUR DOG AGAINST RABIES

State law requires that all dogs be vaccinated annually against rabies. A rabies certificate is necessary to license your dog.

The Town of North Hempstead, in cooperation with the Nassau County Board of Health, conducts a free rabies clinic twice a year. Contact the Animal Shelter for further details.

Policies and Procedures
Any qualified candidates may adopt a dog from the Animal Shelter for a fee of $57. All dogs are spay/neutered, vacinated, microchipped and heartworm tested before adoption.

Adoption fee includes charges for a New York State dog license, a collar and leash, and an adoption kit.

REDEEMING A DOG FROM OUR SHELTER

Lost dogs found in the Town of North Hempstead and placed in the care of the Animal Shelter are held for an owner for 10 days. Redemption fees vary. If a dog goes unclaimed, it may be placed up for adoption.

SURRENDERING A DOG AT OUR SHELTER

Residents may surrender a dog to the Animal Shelter for a fee of $20.00. Best efforts will be made to place healthy, sociable dogs for adoption.

TOWN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES REGARDING CATS

There are no laws controlling cats, therefore the Animal Shelter is not required to accept cats. Accordingly, the Animal Shelter does not do so.

A list of humane societies that accept custody of and care for domesticated cats is available in the Shelter office.

THE TOWN'S PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SHELTER CONNECTION

The Shelter connection is an all-volunteer organization at the Town of North Hempstead Animal Shelter in Port Washington, NY. We are a 501c3 nonprofit group working in cooperation with the staff of the town's public shelter. Our volunteers are professionally trained as adoption advisers and dog handlers. The primary mission of TSC is to increase the number of successful adoptions through training and socialization programs for our shelter dogs. We also provide funds to improve the quality of life for our dogs including the "Mend-a-Paw" fund for special medical and surgical needs.

Secondary missions are:

To educate adopters in breed choices and responsible care of dogs

To help with post adoption problem solving

To provide general public education about the availability of shelter dogs as well as the need to spay and neuter animals

To provide humane educational programs for young people

For information about The Shelter Connection, including information on how to volunteer at the Town's Shelter, write to or call: